SE Mo. residents face flood aftermath

A screen capture still frame of a video by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers of the second intentional levee blast near New Madrid, Mo. on May 3.

(U.S. Army Corps of Engineers video screen capture)

Residents of the southeast Missouri land behind the Birds Point levee are dealing with the aftermath of the decision to breach the levee and unleash torrents of Mississippi River water across 130,000 acres of land.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers said the floodway needed to be activated last month, as it was intended, to help reduce floodwaters in communities in Missouri, Illinois and Kentucky.

The Southeast Missourian reports that up to 50 percent of the floodway is still under some water. But the waters have started receding enough for residents to return to their property to assess the damage. Many residents of the village of Pinhook seem determined to move away. No one is living in their homes.

The water also wreaked havoc on topsoil, equipment, barns and farmhouses.